Air-Fryer Grilled Cheese: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Grilled cheese sandwiches are a popular comfort food, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryers are a great alternative to the traditional pan-cooked grilled cheese sandwich, resulting in a crispy, crunchy, and golden brown sandwich with melted cheese. The process is simple and quick, taking around 10 minutes from start to finish. First, preheat your air fryer to around 350-400°F. Then, spread butter, mayonnaise, or oil on one side of each slice of bread, and place one slice butter-side down in the air fryer basket. Add your favourite cheese, such as cheddar, American, or Monterey Jack, and top with the other slice of bread, butter-side up. Air fry for 3-4 minutes, flip the sandwich, and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. For an extra crispy sandwich, you can butter both sides of the bread. Enjoy your air-fried grilled cheese as a classic comfort meal with a bowl of tomato soup!

Air fryer grilled cheese: the perfect texture

Air fryer grilled cheese is the perfect comfort food, and it's super easy to make. It's also quicker than making it in a skillet, and you'll get a better texture. The air fryer will give you a sandwich with perfectly toasted, crunchy bread and melted cheese.

Ingredients

• Bread – thick-sliced white bread, such as Texas toast, brioche, or potato bread, works best.
• Cheese – a must-have is cheddar (orange or white), but you can also add another type of good melting cheese, like Swiss, provolone, American, Monterey Jack, Gruyere, Fontina, or Havarti.
• Butter – salted or unsalted butter will work. You can also use mayonnaise, which adds flavor and helps the bread turn a crispy, golden brown.
• Optional – thinly sliced ham, bacon, or jalapeno.

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400°F.
• Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread.
• Assemble the sandwiches with the buttered/mayo sides facing out. You can use a toothpick to secure the sandwich.
• Place the sandwiches in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You will likely need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry for 3 minutes.
• Flip the sandwiches and air fry for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown.
• If the sandwich is not yet golden brown on both sides, flip again and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the toothpick and serve.

Air fryer grilled cheese: cooking time

The cooking time for grilled cheese in an air fryer varies depending on the desired level of browning and the number of sandwiches being cooked at once. However, on average, it takes about 3 to 7 minutes to cook a grilled cheese sandwich in an air fryer.

• Preheat the air fryer: It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to a temperature between 370°F and 400°F. Preheating ensures that the hot air is circulating properly, promoting even cooking and browning.
• Assemble the sandwich: Spread butter or mayonnaise on one side of each slice of bread. Place one slice, butter or mayo side down, in the air fryer basket. Add the cheese slices and then place the other slice of bread on top, with the buttered or mayo side facing up.
• Air fry: Place the assembled sandwich in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes. This timing applies whether you are making a single sandwich or multiple sandwiches at once.
• Flip the sandwich: After the initial 3 minutes, use a heat-safe spatula to flip the sandwich. Continue cooking for an additional 2 to 4 minutes. The total cooking time for this step will depend on your desired level of browning. If you prefer a lighter toast, 2 minutes may be sufficient. For a darker toast, cook for closer to 4 minutes.
• Check for doneness: After the second round of cooking, the sandwich should be golden brown and the cheese should be melted. If the bottom of the sandwich is not yet golden, flip it again and air fry for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
• Adjust timing as needed: It's important to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on your specific air fryer and the type of bread used. Always keep an eye on your sandwich while it's cooking to ensure it doesn't burn.
• Personalize and serve: Once your sandwich is golden and toasted, it's ready to serve. You can personalize your grilled cheese by adding additional toppings such as sliced tomatoes, bacon, or pulled pork. Grilled cheese pairs well with tomato soup, butternut squash soup, or broccoli cheese soup.

Air fryer grilled cheese: bread options

Air fryer grilled cheese sandwiches are a quick, easy, and fun meal to make. They are also incredibly versatile, as you can use a variety of different breads and cheeses to suit your taste preferences.

When making grilled cheese in an air fryer, it is recommended to use a thicker-cut bread, such as Texas toast, sourdough, or a rustic loaf. This is because thinner slices of bread may fly around in the air fryer due to the strong fan. However, if you only have thin bread, you can use toothpicks to secure the sandwich together while it cooks.

• Texas toast
• Sara Lee Artesano bread
• Sourdough bread
• Multi-grain bread
• Rustic bread
• Country white bread
• Whole-wheat sandwich bread
• French bread
• Rye bread
• Leftover artisan bread

You can also get creative and use different types of bread, such as keto bread, or even a croissant to make an air fryer croissant sandwich.

Once you've chosen your bread, simply butter the outside of the slices, add your cheese, and air fry for a few minutes until golden and crispy. Enjoy your grilled cheese as is, or pair it with a comforting bowl of tomato soup.

Air fryer grilled cheese: cheese options

There are many different types of cheese you can use to make grilled cheese in an air fryer. Here are some options to consider:

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for grilled cheese sandwiches. It has a sharp flavour and melts well, making it a good base for your sandwich. You can use either orange or white cheddar, depending on your preference.

Monterey Jack

Monterey Jack is a mild, creamy cheese that pairs well with cheddar. It has a nice melting texture, making it ideal for grilled cheese.

Gruyère

Gruyère is another excellent melting cheese with a slightly nutty flavour. It adds a depth of flavour to your sandwich.

Mozzarella

Low-moisture mozzarella is a good option for grilled cheese. It melts well and has a stretchy, stringy texture that is perfect for a cheesy pull.

Other Options

Other cheeses that melt well and can be used in grilled cheese sandwiches include Swiss, provolone, American, Fontina, and Havarti. You can also mix and match different cheeses to create your own unique flavour combinations.

When making grilled cheese in an air fryer, it is recommended to grate the cheese, as it helps it melt faster and gives you that desirable cheese pull. You can also add extra ingredients to your sandwich, such as ham, bacon, tomatoes, or a spread like mayonnaise, mustard, or pimento cheese, to take your grilled cheese to the next level.

Air fryer grilled cheese: butter or mayo?

The air fryer is a great way to make grilled cheese, with the advantage of being able to cook multiple sandwiches at once. It's also safer for kids, as you don't need to use a stove. You can achieve a perfectly toasted, crispy sandwich with melted cheese in just 10 minutes.

Butter

A classic grilled cheese sandwich is made with butter. You can use either salted or unsalted butter, and it's best to let it come to room temperature before spreading it on your bread. Butter will give you that traditional, buttery, crispy golden colour and flavour.

Mayo

If you're looking for an alternative, you can use mayonnaise to achieve a crisp, golden sandwich. A thin layer of mayo on the outside of the bread will help the sandwich brown nicely without drying out the bread. It's also easier to spread than cold butter. You can also add a layer of mayo to the inside of your sandwich for extra creaminess.

Tips

• Use sturdy bread, such as sourdough, rustic Italian, or Texas toast, cut at least 1/2-inch thick.
• If using square slices, you may only be able to fit one sandwich in your air fryer at a time. Round slices may fit better.
• Use a combination of cheeses for flavour and melt, such as sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or low-moisture mozzarella.
• Grate your cheese to help it melt faster and give you that perfect cheese pull.
• If your air fryer has a strong fan, secure your sandwich with a toothpick before cooking to prevent the top slice from flying off.
• Cook your sandwich at 370-390°F for 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until golden.

Whether you choose butter or mayo, the air fryer is a convenient and quick way to make a delicious grilled cheese sandwich. So, get creative, and enjoy the perfect comfort food, made even better!

Frequently asked questions